Amenorrhoea + Abnormal Menstrual Cycles

Question 1

What is meant by primary amenorrhoea?

Answer 1

The absence of starting menstruation in a 15 year old with secondary sexual characteristic or a 13 year old without secondary sexual characteristics.

Question 2

What is meant by secondary amenorrhoea?

Answer 2

The stopping of menstrual cycles for 3-6 months in a woman who previously had regular cycles, or 6-12 months in a woman previously with oligomenorrhea.

Question 3

What are the key features of androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Answer 3

Male genotype 46XY
Defect in androgen receptors so testosterone can’t exert its effects
Female phenotype
Undescended testes
Absent fallopian tubes and uterus

Question 4

What are the key features of congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Answer 4

Autosomal recessive
21 hydroxylase
Low cortisol, so overproduction of androgens
Ambigious genitalia